Vegans

[RoughShod]

I saw a program some time ago called medical detectives that finally linked the deaths of humans suffering from a disease that caused them to forget, then lose coordination of their limbs and finally die. Upon analysis of their brains a spore was found devouring the tissues in patches . They linked it to a similar spore in 'mad cow's disease ' that had cross mutated to infect human beings as well. The disgusting thing I learnt there was that the abbatoirs were selling the leftovers from the slaughtered carcasses to companies manufacturing feed for livestock. The cows were effectly eating part of the remains of their slaughtered siblings so to speak. That has now been abolished because this cannabilism so to speak caused the deaths of human beings.

Where I live,Cape Town, the council has been thinking of converting human waste into compost for all the public parks etc. It struck me they may sell it to the public as well and it could easily be used by companies to grow organic vegetables. That isn't as disgusting as it first sounds(to me) if one consciders cows are eating grass that uses crap from the cows which consists of the grasses eaten parents.

So it struck me that I definetly class plants as different to animals . To feed an animal the leftovers of his slaughtered kind seems disgusting to me. To feed a plant the remains of its eaten relatives seems quite natural. I have just noticed I said he for animals and it for plants. Somehow living things that have blood running through veins seem to be closer to humanity than plants I suppose.

Then I actually saw a movie of cows infected with 'mad cow's disease' and I was astonished at how the dead carcasses were handled. One was being dragged unceremoniously across the floor with its four legs stiff, pointing upwards towards the heavens, towards an incinerator. It just looked a bit wrong . If it had been lifted with a forklift instead it would have looked better. I treat my plants better than that. I value them even though I am going to eat them. They are not just food, I am thankfull for the source of food. If they die, I feel sorrow that they did not live for the reason intended, to become food. I take each little dead plant and lay it to rest gently in the compost heap. If I was a slaughter house it seems I would throw it into the compost heap.

By now you are no doubt wondering if I am being serious. You can continue to wonder.

However, for awhile I was put off eating meat. Looked for recipes on the internet to see how to make vegetables more tasty and also appealing to the eye. After all meat doesn't taste all that nice just by itself and boiled. I think it is just a chewy base on which grilled taste of meat and sauces of all kinds is placed upon...much like a pizza whose base is meat instead of grain . A juicier base for sure.

If there is a vegan out there, I am losing the battle to become one. Help, just bought a chunk of silverside today.

[raymon]

So it struck me that I definetly class plants as different to animals . To feed an animal the leftovers of his slaughtered kind seems disgusting to me.

I agree. I know that some animals sometimes feed on each other but this is rather a rare case, and all herbivores, cows included, cannot ingest and process meat as it does go against their nature. I am sure that feeding them animal protein can backlash.

As to treating animals with dignity even when they are becoming food; I think focus should be towards the pre-slaughter as I believe this still require some progress to be done, but I do see your point.

Becoming a vegan is indeed a battle especially as you grow older, but I know many who have managed really well, and yea some vegan stuff is delicious too.
I went to Subway the other day and picked a vegan sandwich, and was thinking: I do like my sub to be really full: lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onion ... etc. And with all that in, meat becomes like a secondary side in the sandwich. It was delicious to me, with meat or vegan filling. I think it is still psychological. You can make anything delicious, just believe in it.
But no, I am not becoming a vegan. I can't cross the psychological barrier.

[RoughShod]

Yep,that silverside got browned today then braised....then slow simmered because it struck me that braising may be too hot. Put in carrots and onions to the liquid for flavouring and extra minerals. Silverside is now in fridge to cool for use as sliced meat section on sandwiches later.The liquid is being reduced to make a sauce combined with tomatoes and other things that will be used on the sandwiches too. Maybe I will use it with boiled vegetables to make them more palatable.